As one of the most dramatic features of the natural landscape, mountains have an extraordinary power to evoke spirituality and sanctity. The mountains are held sacred for the following reasons:
- Mountains have traditionally been regarded as abodes of Gods. For example, Mount Kailasha (at Tibet) is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva.
- Some mountains are also held sacred due to their association with deities, mythology or legends. For example, Mount Govardhana at Brindavana is revered for its association with Lord Krishna.
- Mountains are also held revered as places of spiritual attainment.
Mounatain Ranges in India :The Himalsyas : Highest in the world, the Himalayas cover a distance of about 2500 km and an area of about 500,000 sq. km (approx.). It has the world's highest peak Mount Everest.
Patkai : The Patkai and allied mountain ranges run along the Indo-Bangladesh-Burma border and are collectively called Purvachal or eastern mountains.
Aravelli : A range in north-western India is one of the oldest mountains in the world. The present Aravalli ranges are only a remnant of the gigantic one that had existed in prehistoric times with several of its summits rising above the snow line and nourishing glaciers of stupendous magnitude feeding many great rivers.
Vindhyanchal : The Vindhyan range traverses nearly the whole width of peninsular India. It covers a distance of about 1050 km with an average elevation of 300 meters.
Satpura : The Satpura range covers a distance of 900 km with peaks rising about 1000 meters. It is triangular in shape with its apex at Ratnapuri and two sides running parallel to the Narmada and Tapti rivers.
Sahyadri or Western Ghats : These ranges with an average height of 1200 meters is about 1600 km long and runs along the Deccan plateau from the mouth of the river Tapti to Kanyakumari, the southern most point of India. It overlooks the Arabian Sea and catches the full force of the monsoon winds, thus precipitating heavy rains on the west coast.
Eastern Ghats : Bordering the east coast of India, these are cut by the powerful rivers into discontinuous blocks of mountains. In its northern parts between the Godavari and the Mahanadi rivers it rises about 1000 meters.
